Drake Bay, Costa Rica Guide: What to Do & See

Drake Bay is one of the most secluded and peaceful destinations in Costa Rica. According to legend, Sir Francis Drake, aka the Pirate Drake, the first Englishman to circumnavigate the globe, enjoyed its secret corners and calmer waters. It’s even said that he may have buried some of his treasure in this area.

No treasure has ever been found in Drake Bay, but once you arrive, it’s easy to see why a 16th-century adventurer might have chosen this corner of the world as a favored stop. Today, the real treasures here aren’t made of gold—they’re the kind that offers rest, peace, and the untouched beauty of nature.

Just like the rest of the peninsula, Drake Bay is home to incredible biodiversity. During your stay, you may spot a troop of squirrel monkeys playing in the trees around your room, an inquisitive crested owl looking down onto the trail you are hiking, or a colorful wave of all sizes of hermit crabs surrounding you at the beach as you sunbathe.

cocalito beach sunset — Sunset on Cocalito Beach in Drake Bay

Drake Bay is Perfect for Couples & Family Vacations

The bay’s coast is home to some of the most luxurious and eco-friendly hotels in Costa Rica, making Drake Bay the perfect place to enjoy as a couple. Whether you’re looking for a family trip (like our Remote Adventure itinerary) or a romantic honeymoon, there’s truly an activity for every type of traveler and budget.

Immerse yourself in local culture in Agujitas, which offers diverse lodging options and the opportunity to fall in love with rural Costa Rica. This town is home to over a thousand inhabitants scattered over a large farm area and protected land, which was only connected to the country’s electrical grid in 2004.

In Agujitas, you’ll find a small selection of restaurants, bars, shops, and local tour operators. Nearby communities like El Progreso have also embraced tourism, offering visitors a more rustic, culturally rich experience surrounded by nature.

Drake Bay is an absolute gem that must be protected, and we work with hotel partners who share our views.

Things to Do in Drake Bay, Costa Rica

There’s nothing like having the beach to yourself. Drake Bay offers plenty of private, secluded coves and beaches for those willing to look. A 20 km (12-mile) lush coastal trail winds through the jungle bordering Corcovado National Park, leading to several hidden beaches, coves, and lagoons.

Corcovado National Park

The most famous attraction in Drake Bay is Corcovado National Park, which can be reached by boat, either to the San Pedrillo station (20 min by boat) or the Sirena station (1 hour by boat). Both stations have several trails for visitors to enjoy what National Geographic calls “the most biologically intense place on Earth.”

Marine Life in Drake Bay

Marine life is one of Drake Bay’s greatest treasures. Whether you’re most comfortable on a boat or eager to get in the water, there are plenty of ways to experience it. You can join a dolphin and whale watching tour, go snorkeling, or take a scuba diving trip. Most tours head to the waters around Caño Island, a protected marine biological reserve known for its biodiversity. The island is just over 300 hectares, but the reserve extends across over 5,000 hectares of surrounding ocean. Inland, the island also holds archaeological significance, with pre-Columbian artifacts that hint at its ancient history.

Pre-Columbian Artifacts

Pre-Columbian civilizations inhabited the island and used the land as a sacred burial ground. Several artifacts have been found on the island, including one of the region’s iconic perfectly round stone spheres. These were crafted by the pre-Columbian civilization that lived in the Diquís region, between the Térraba and Sierpe rivers, between 400 and 1500 A.D. in Costa Rica’s southwest Pacific zone.

Snorkeling & Scuba Diving in Drake Bay

The snorkeling and scuba diving around the island’s coral reefs are the best on Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast. Divers and snorkelers can get up close and personal with the area’s pristine reefs and diverse marine life. On a dive or snorkel tour, you can expect to see whitetip reef sharks, sea turtles, stingrays, parrotfish, angelfish, and even dolphins or whales during migration season—all in waters known for their clarity and rich biodiversity.

Local Attractions

In recent years, locals from Agujitas, El Progreso, Rancho Quemado, Los Planes, and Los Ángeles have created a range of attractions that add depth to the Drake Bay experience. Many have transformed their properties into nature-focused destinations, offering day and night hikes, horseback riding, butterfly gardens, river kayaking, and canopy tours—all designed to showcase the region’s incredible biodiversity.

How to Get to Drake Bay

Agujitas is Drake Bay’s central hub for hotels, tours, and services. You can get there by land, water, or air—and each option comes with a bit of adventure.

Drake Bay Airport (DRK)

Two domestic airlines fly into Drake Bay’s small airstrip several times daily. The airstrip is located just outside Agujitas in the nearby town of El Progreso. From there, a taxi will take you to town, crossing a river. During the rainy season, you may need to transfer to a truck to make it across safely.

Traveling by boat from the town of Sierpe is the most popular route to Drake Bay. You’ll reach Sierpe by land, about 15 km south of Palmar Sur and just a few miles off the Pan-American Highway. From there, a one-hour boat ride takes you through the mangrove-lined Sierpe River and along the coastline of the Osa Peninsula. Most lodges in Drake Bay can help you arrange this transfer.

Alternatively, you can fly into the Palmar Sur airport and taxi to Sierpe to catch the boat.

There has been talk of building an international airport in Palmar Sur since the early 2000s to accommodate growing interest in Costa Rica’s South Pacific region. Environmental studies were submitted in 2013, but the project hasn’t moved forward, partly due to concerns that a large influx of visitors could harm the area’s fragile ecosystems, despite the potential for economic growth.

If you’re traveling during the dry season and have experience with off-road driving, it’s also possible to reach Agujitas by land. The route comes in from the northeast and turns west at the town of Rincón. It’s a scenic drive, but the road is gravel and includes several river crossings, so it’s only recommended for confident, well-equipped drivers with a 4×4 rental.

The Weather at Drake Bay

The weather in the Osa Península is hot, rainy, and humid. The driest time of the year is from mid-December to mid-April. It is rainy from mid-April to mid-December, with a strong peak in rainstorms during September and October.

Plan a Trip to Drake Bay, Costa Rica

Whether you’re wanting an adventure-packed solo or family vacation or are searching for a romantic Costa Rican getaway, here is a sampling of our packages that include Drake Bay: